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1979 Map of Yaak River

Name: 1979 Topographic Map of Yaak River
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1993
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1993

About this map

Lake Koocanusa dominates the eastern drainage of this 1970s landscape, a massive reservoir created by the damming of the Kootenai River. The map shows a region of intensive topographic observation, evidenced by an extensive network of fire lookouts including Lookout Tower Northwest Peak and Lookout Tower Garver Mountain perched atop the Purcell Mountains. These towers were critical for protecting the timber resources of the Kootenai National Forest.

Settlement is concentrated near the eastern border along the Burlington Northern rail line and Highway 93. Small communities like Rexford and Eureka serve as hubs between the river and the mountain peaks. North of the international border with Canada, the topography continues into the Kootenay District, while the Yaak River and its multiple forks wind through the western high country, providing a detailed view of the watershed before the 1990s inspections.